WHY JOIN?

The Chamber

All too often, business owners don’t realize just exactly what the Chamber of Commerce’s functions are, who comprises its membership, and what value one can expect from a membership in this important organization. The Chamber is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization designed to meet the needs of the Grand Strand business community. Chamber membership is an investment in the present and future success of your business and a key to growing the local economy.

The Grand Strand Chamber is an organization of business and professional men and women who have joined together for the purpose of promoting the civic and commercial progress of our communities.

 About Us

The Chamber is an organization composed of businesses, professionals and interested individuals who join together to advance the interests of the community. By working together, we can make the Grand Strand a better place to live, work and play.

 Mission Statement

The Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to promote job creation and economic improvement of the Grand Strand area by encouraging the most effective use of both private and public resources. We will strive to support the Grand Strand businesses by listening to their needs and ideas, helping in every way possible to promote the growth, profitability, partnership and alliance opportunities, and stability of those businesses. We will work to support community events and to provide a common voice on issues to local, state, and national governing bodies, always keeping in mind that our purpose for being is to serve small
businesses and their employees.

 What is Expected as a New Member?

 Upon joining, you will receive a New Member Package access to a Membership Directory, a Chamber Member decal, your receipt for dues paid (tax deductible as a business expense). Business Members will benefit from discounts other members offer. These can range from a flat percentage discount to free or reduced services or goods. Please ask for the Member-to-Member Discount listing available to members of the Chamber.

 Advocacy

The Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce is your voice to government along the Grand Strand. We will concern ourselves with issues that impact business and the livability of the communities at large. We will work closely with City, County and State officials so the members of the Grand Strand Chamber are being heard.

Networking

The Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce provides numerous opportunities to meet other business leaders in our community.

General Membership Luncheons

Scheduled periodically from 12-1 p.m., these events are opportunities to mingle with other business leaders, learn about the Grand Strand Community in general, other businesses or learn about current business issues. Plan to promote your businesses during Soapbox Time, allowing you up to ten minutes to highlight your business or organization. Sponsor a luncheon and receive additional opportunities to promote your business.

Business After Hours

These events provide opportunities for host businesses to show off their facilities and products, as well as an informal time of socializing and "catching up with your fellow Chamber members." Food and beverages are provided by the host business.

Chamber Website

The Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce will provide business members a website or webpage using the latest technology designed to drive internet traffic to their business. Our website is specifically designed to increase the visibility of our member businesses. Included in your membership package is a personalized business website or webpage that provided additional value. Please see the Website Information page for additional information and upgrade options.

Chamber eMail News

This weekly email keeps members up-to-date about various Chamber events, activities and projects. Members can submit information on upcoming events or special programs for distribution to the membership.

Chamber Newsletter

Members may submit information about their business on the Member Spotlight page of the Chamber Newsletter. This newsletter is sent to all members and those who subscribe to the free e-newsletter service provided by the Chamber. Businesses will be allowed to showcase new product lines, business changes, and your upcoming events.

Membership Directory

This online directory is updated monthly and lists all Chamber members by business directory, as well as alphabetically. The directory also includes community profile information.

Business Rack Card & Literature Display

The Chamber of Commerce offers a business rack card and literature display in our foyer. We also partner with a literature display company placing your rack cards at discounted rates into thousands of area businesses. Potential customers visit these each month providing excellent exposure for your business use.

Mailing Labels

Business Members can purchase the entire membership mailing list on labels for $25.00. Individual Members can purchase the lists for $50.00 on labels. The list can also be provided in an excel format.

Relocation Inquiries List

An excellent way to target new residents moving to the community is mailing information before they arrive in town. The Chamber can place your marketing materials in our mailing.

Relocation Package Inserts

Chamber members can supply brochures, fliers, or coupons designed for new residents to the Grand Strand area for inclusion in relocation packets. This is a free service for Chamber members. Members need to provide 100 inserts at a time to the Chamber office. Information should be no larger than one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper (this page can be folded).

Seminars and Workshops

Periodically, the Chamber sponsors workshops to assist and improve your business operations or to update you on changing regulations that directly affect your business.

Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings

We will support members at these events as a welcome to the community. This service is also available for business members who are expanding or dedicating new facilities.

Gift Certificate Program

The Grand Strand Chamber Gift Certificate Program is designed to encourage people to purchase locally. Gift Certificates are sold only at the Grand Strand Chamber. The Gift Certificate Program is marketed in the entire Grand Strand area.

Press Release or Article Consultation

Take advantage of free publicity with a press release or article on your company. Send it out to local media or use it in your marketing material. This service is available and free for business members only.

Membership Decal

The decal is an important way to tell your customers you support the Grand Strand Chamber of Commerce. Look for this logo when shopping throughout the Grand Strand.

Buying Power Program

The Chamber is involved in organizing a Buying Power Program. This program is designed to allow members to purchase supplies and products at a volume discounted rate.

Small Business Service

The Chamber has a large and growing network of business connections. Whether you are looking for sites, developers or counseling, the Chamber can point you in the right direction. We even have a Small Business Center inside our office that includes computer workstations with high-speed internet, color printers, fax machine, copier and scanners available to our business members.

Chamber Member of the Month

Tell your story as "Chamber Member of the Month". Highlight your business on a story board at the Chamber office, where visitors stop regularly for information. We will include your company in a special recognition section of the monthly newsletter and on our website.

Committees

Chamber committees direct what, when, where and how functions are performed. We invite and encourage you to participate in the areas that interest you.

Ambassador Committee
Business Advocacy Committee
Business Development Committee
Business Education Committee
Business EXPO Committee
Communication Committee
Festival & Events Committee

Website Marketing

A state of the art website with integrated direct marketing tools to help you expand your local marketing campaign and gain exposure for your business worldwide is at the heart of a business membership. A website individually customized to your business is included as a full member of the Grand Strand Chamber.

The centerpiece of your Internet Marketing efforts is your company’s website. A decade ago, discussions of whether an organization needed a website or whether it should be viewed as a marketing tool were common. As internet use increased among target markets at the turn of the century, discussion changed to how prospective customers were using the internet. Internet media users can be broken into four categories based on their general pattern of internet use.

Heavy users access the internet daily.
Frequent users access the internet weekly.
Infrequent users access the internet monthly.
Lapsed users access the internet in periodic burst of typical use.

These categories of use among customers vary. The ages, incomes and occupations influence the best way to reach them online. Besides internet usage patterns, it is also necessary to identify the online activities of your target markets. For example, prior to implementing e-Commerce, you must identify the online shopping patterns and preferences of your target markets. The most popular online activity is information-gathering. Much of the information gathered relates to identifying products and services to buy - even in cases when users do not plan to purchase the product and services online.

By identifying the expectations and needs of your target markets before you begin marketing on the internet, you can build the foundation of an effective, market-led website.

Online Advertising

Online advertising is the closest thing on the internet to traditional advertising. It differs from search engine marketing (SEM) by the way it targets prospects. SEM targets prospects based on keywords. By contrasts, online advertising targets prospects by behavior and demographics.

Like print publications, individual websites attract unique visitors that share common interests, behaviors and demographics. The goal for marketers is to identify websites that attract the largest audience of potential customers and create online ads that will draw customers to your website.

Many types of online advertising options are available to you.

Internet Marketing for Your Business

Embracing online customers is more a matter of commitment and strategy than financial expenditure. It does not need to be expensive to reach online customers effectively. Using a market-led approach to internet marketing, you can build an effective website and attract customers through various internet-based marketing tactics.

Email Marketing

Sending emails is fast, free and far-reaching. This is why email marketing has become a popular way for businesses to communicate with existing and potential customers. The advantages of email marketing make it a natural addition to your company’s internet marketing program.

Search Engine Marketing

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) is the process of promoting your websites through paid text ads that appear on the results pages in search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN. Technology available today will allow your website to be an effective SEM tool in your advertising campaign.

To determine when your paid text ad appears in search engine results, you must select desirable keywords and key phrases, and bid against competitors to determine which ads will appear. The order ads appear is influenced by bidding, relevance and other factors.